The Other Joe (Joe Schwarz R-7, from Michigan)

Human Events ^ | 09.09.06 | John Berthoud

[Coleus]

Former Vice Presidential candidate Joe Lieberman’s loss in the Connecticut Democratic Senate primary may have grabbed the headlines, but Republican Congressman Joe Schwarz’s primary loss on Tuesday may create political waves just as big. Tim Walberg pulled off the rare feat of defeating an incumbent Congressman (by a 53 percent to 47 percent margin). The message from Michigan: the conservative base is tired of big-government Republicans.

Schwarz of course was backed or praised by much of the GOP establishment and business lobbying community. He also received help from liberal groups, labor unions, and the union-allied Republican Main Street Partnership. Schwarz’s loss is one more indication of the large gulf between the Washington GOP establishment and Republicans outside the Beltway. Just how out of touch that establishment can be is shown by the Republican Main Street Partnership laughably calling Schwarz a “Reagan Republican,” despite the fact that Schwarz had one of the worst fiscal records of any GOP Member in Congress.

Walberg received enormous backing from the Club for Growth and was endorsed by leading conservative and free market PACs (including NTU’s affiliated PAC). But the key to Walberg’s win lies in the conservative base, which recognized that as poor a record as Schwarz had compiled in his first term, it would only get worse if he beat back the expected primary challenge for his sophomore term. Schwarz’s support for more spending and bigger government would only have grown in succeeding years.

By nominating Tim Walberg, the voters in Michigan’s Seventh District sent a wake-up call to the GOP leadership in Washington about the importance of turning away from their profligate ways of recent years. Only time will tell if they hear it.

Mr. Berthoud is President of the 350,000-member National Taxpayers Union (www.ntu.org)

[Coleus]

Walberg was too conservative for President Bush, so was Pat Toomey. That's politics.

[Clintonfatigued]

This was one of the best primary developments this year.

[PGalt]

BTTT

[Lancey Howard]

Walberg was too conservative for President Bush, so was Pat Toomey. That's politics.

Did Bush campaign for Schwarz and against Walberg during the primary?

[grellis]

Sure was fun to watch Schwartz go down!

[cripplecreek]

Schwarz claimed to be supported by the president and John McCain but I don't know how much actual support there was. Doesn't matter, Schwarz decided to represent the party line over his constituents and the bill came due.

[Chipper]

Thank God that arrogant prick won't be my Representative anymore.

[bkepley]

Walberg received enormous backing from the Club for Growth

You have me to thank here..I donate 25.00 a month. I'd say that was the clincher.

[cripplecreek]

I'm proud to say that I was part of the eviction crew.

[The Iceman Cometh]

Walberg received enormous backing from the Club for Growth You have me to thank here..I donate 25.00 a month. I'd say that was the clincher.

That Club for Growth seems to have their s**t together. They helped a solid, local candidate in my area beat all the other RINO turds.

[Coleus]

Did Bush campaign for Schwarz and against Walberg during the primary? >>>>

YES! It's Pat Toomey all over again.

Bush gives Schwarz endorsement nod
http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060419/NEWS01/604190314/1002


"I appreciate his hard work, especially on education, national security and health care," Bush said. "Joe is a fine Republican who deserves re-election."

[Coleus]

This was one of the best primary developments this year. >>>

now walberg has to win his district. I certainly hope that the state gop doesn't work against walberg like nj did to schundler in 01.

[Lancey Howard]

I remember this "Republican Main Street Partnership" from the Specter vs. Toomey primary and I think it came out that the group is supported and partly funded by Soros. I'm pretty sure the organization is a Democrat infiltration scheme.

[cripplecreek]

Walberg will win this district. We're solidly GOP. Last time around Schwarz won with only about 23% of the vote due to a crowded GOP field.

The results if you're interested.

http://miboecfr.nictusa.com/election/results/06PRI/06007000.html

[stratocaster]

The Michigan 7th is a conservative district. The only reason that Schwartz won last time was that there were 4 conservatives in the primary that split the vote and allowed the one "moderate" to get in. The last election was a fluke...not this one...all it means is that the district has returned where it has always been. Here in Michigan, the race for governor will be close (Devos-R and Gov. Granholm_D) and I hope that Bouchard-R has a chance against Sen. Stabenow, who has had a very lackluster career in the Senate.

[maxter]

Club For Growth is making a difference in the conservative count.

[Republican Wildcat]

Doesn't matter, Schwarz decided to represent the party line over his constituents and the bill came due.

The Democrat party line far too often for a conservative district.

[Republican Wildcat]

Schwarz's ACU rating is 58. If this was a liberal NE district that would be one thing...but that district in MI can have better and it looks like it will get it.

[Lancey Howard]

Sounds like fairly boilerplate stuff. I think Bush will issue the same kind of endorsement for Walberg two years from now.

[Lancey Howard]